Jamshedpur Flyers Face Major Travel Disruptions During Presidential Visit
Residents of Jamshedpur planning to catch flights from Ranchi airport on Thursday must significantly adjust their travel schedules due to extensive traffic restrictions. The city administration has announced that both the Dobo and Mango bridges, crucial connectors to NH-18, will be completely closed to vehicles from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Presidential Movement Triggers Widespread Traffic Curbs
These restrictions are being implemented to facilitate the secure movement of President Droupadi Murmu, who is scheduled to visit the Steel City. The President's itinerary includes laying the foundation stone for the new Jagannath Temple near Marine Drive and visiting a private medical college in the Baridih area. District Collector Karn Satyarthi and Senior Superintendent of Police Piyush Pandey have personally inspected the locations the President will visit after arriving at Sonari airport.
The traffic advisory extends beyond just the bridges, with multiple roads across the city expected to face limitations during the presidential motorcade's movement. This creates a particularly challenging situation for air travelers, as Jamshedpur lacks a full-fledged commercial airport. Consequently, residents must travel to Ranchi or Kolkata for both domestic and international flights, with over a hundred flyers typically using bus services to reach Ranchi airport daily.
Alternative Routes and Increased Costs for Commuters
Local transportation operators are advising passengers to either depart exceptionally early to cross the critical bridges before the 11:00 AM deadline or take significantly longer alternative routes. Mohan Singh, a city-based cab operator, explained, "Travelers using private cabs to reach Ranchi airport have two options: start their journey very early to cross Dobo or Mango bridge before 11 AM, or take the much longer Kandra route via Chandil. However, choosing the Kandra route will substantially increase travel fares."
The impact is being felt across the traveler community. Model and actor Titiksha Pal, who needs to catch a 5:00 PM flight to Delhi from Ranchi, stated, "I must leave Jamshedpur before 11:00 AM to avoid getting caught in the no-entry restrictions on Dobo bridge." Similarly, teacher Oindrila Datta, who is traveling to Kolkata by road to catch a connecting flight to Dubai, said, "These traffic curbs force me to completely reschedule my road journey to Kolkata airport and depart from home much earlier than planned."
Public Transport and Economic Consequences
The disruptions are also severely affecting public transportation systems. Inter-state and inter-district buses that normally operate from Bhuiyadih bus stand will only be available from Dimna Chowk on Thursday. Bus driver Rituraj expressed concern about the financial implications, saying, "Passenger numbers will likely drop by more than half since many people won't prefer traveling to Dimna Chowk to catch buses. Numerous operators are considering not running their buses at all on Thursday to avoid substantial financial losses."
The transportation challenges aren't limited to outgoing travelers. Those arriving at Ranchi airport and planning to travel to Jamshedpur on Thursday will also encounter significant difficulties due to the ongoing restrictions. The combined effect creates a day of major logistical challenges for the entire region's transportation network, highlighting Jamshedpur's dependency on Ranchi for air travel and the widespread impact of high-security presidential movements on civilian infrastructure.
